DECLARED ILLEGAL.

Wairarapa Age, 26 August 1933, Page 5

DECLARED ILLEGAL.

GENERAL O’DUFFY’S MEETING ABANDONED.

CIVIC GUARDS OCCUPY THE HALL.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED IN BAN:

(Received Friday, 5.5 p.m.) DUBLIN, August 24. General O ’Duffy’s engagement to address the National Guard Association at the Waterford Town Hall was abandoned after the Government had proclaimed the meeting to be illegal. Two hundred Civic Guards occupied the hall prior to the arrival of General O’Duffy, who conferred with the .police superintendent and announc-

ed that the meeting would not be

Blue Shirt supporters had contended that the association, as an auxiliary of the National Guard, was excluded from the ban. The Government announced that associate.membership of the Guard was included in the ban. Therefore, the activities of women’s and youths’ branches were illegal. POLICE DRAW BATONS. SEVERAL MEN WITH STICKS DISARMED. (Received Friday, 8.15 p.m.)' DUBLIN, August 25. General O’Duffy, from the steps of Waterford Hotel, announced the abandonment of the meeting. He was greeted with cheers by both sections. The crowd attacked a man believed to be a member of the National Guard. The police drew their batons and disarmed several men who had sticks concealed under their coats. General O’Duffy decided to stay the night and intend® to proceed to other meetings arranged for Friday and Saturday.